The Chicago Cubs have emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 MLB season, leading the NL Central with a strong 45–28 record. Backed by the sixth-best offense in baseball per FanGraphs, the Cubs have managed to thrive despite injuries to their top two starting pitchers, showcasing impressive depth and balance across their roster.
Given their current position, the Cubs are well-positioned to be buyers at the trade deadline. According to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo! Sports, one potential target is Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who could provide a major boost to the back end of Chicago’s bullpen.
Sports praised Emmanuel Clase as baseball’s top reliever last season, highlighting his third-place finish in AL Cy Young voting as a testament to his dominance. However, after a stellar 2024 campaign, Clase struggled in the postseason, and those issues lingered into the early part of 2025.
This season, the three-time All-Star holds a 4-1 record with a 3.82 ERA across 32 appearances—respectable, though not up to his usual elite standards. Dorsey pointed out that while Clase hit some bumps in April, his recent form has been much more promising.
In his last 15 outings, Clase has posted a 1.88 ERA with seven saves, looking more like the dominant force who twice won AL Reliever of the Year. With signs that he’s returning to form, Dorsey believes now could be an ideal moment for a contending team like the Cubs to convince Cleveland to part with their longtime closer.
Adding a proven closer like Emmanuel Clase would significantly strengthen the Cubs’ bullpen and inject valuable playoff experience into a team poised for a deep postseason push. With championship aspirations in sight, securing a high-leverage arm to anchor the late innings could be the final piece that elevates Chicago from contender to legitimate World Series threat.